Several close-in partners and neighbors of Seattle Center are stepping up to support six months of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, Apr 21 – Oct 21, on the grounds of Seattle Center. The contributions total more than $2 million in cash pledges and in-kind donations.

The close-in partners join hundreds of community organizations and individual volunteers participating in the planning and execution of The Next Fifty, led by Seattle Center Foundation. According to press notes, the broad support helps to realize a meaningful, community wide commemoration that honors the past, celebrates the present, and envisions future possibilities. Following is information on partnerships:

Bill & MeLinda Gates Foundation – a new neighbor and community partner to Seattle Center, the foundation is guided by the belief that every person deserves the chance to live a healthy and productive life. The Foundation's contribution will help draw attention to some of the pressing issues addressed during The Next Fifty, especially in the area of global health, in association with the opening of the Gates Foundation Visitor Center, which is located across the street from Seattle Center.

Grousemount Foundation – originally created and funded by Howard S. Wright, who is recognized for building and developing the Space Needle and for his leadership in inspiring and guiding Seattle's growth in the last half of the 20th century, the foundation's support underwrites Urban Intervention – Design Idea Competition for Public Spaces, organized by Next 50 in partnership with AIA Seattle.

KOMO 4 TV – the Premier Media Partner is working to engage a broader community in The Next Fifty. Located along the Monorail tracks across Broad Street from Seattle Center, KOMO is providing integrated news and promotional support on KOMO 4 TV and KOMO 2, national network coverage, and additional broadcast services.

Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) – this long-time campus resident is partnering with Next 50 to present a multi-media 1960's retrospective of sci-fi television and film hosted by PNB's Peter Boal, Emil de Cou, and other special guests. The performance, on September 30, features works by Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, and others – and includes a fly-by through the solar system.

Seattle Center Monorail – also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012, the Monorail provides a link between Seattle Center and the downtown core, moving 1.9 million people each year along the 1.2 mile track in 90-second trips. The gift from Seattle Monorail Service will support Next 50 programming offered during the six months of celebration.

According to press notes, the hope of The Next Fifty is to create synergies that inspire a shared vision for the region in the years ahead. The effort brings together hundreds of civic, community and business volunteers active on numerous planning committees, who provide the ideas and substance that energize The Next Fifty.

Arts, culture and design and history tie together the half-year celebration. The individual months focus on key areas in which the Pacific Northwest has excelled since the World's Fair and will continue to lead, including: Sustainable Futures, Science and Technology, Global Health, Learning, Commerce and Innovation, and Civic Action. Through exhibits, demonstrations, live performances, speakers, panel discussions, films, children's attractions, and community gatherings, the region and the world will engage in the eight thematic areas.